Jack White Hates All Those Cell Phones At His Concerts Even More Than You Do

It’s a growing epidemic anyone who’s attended a concert over the past few years has surely experienced: The moment your favorite band takes the stage, the audience turns into a sea of cell phones hoisted in the air, furiously snapping blurry pictures and videos to share with friends on social networks like Twitter and Instagram. So instead of watching a great show, you’re stuck trying to catch a glimpse of the stage through the forest of arms holding up phones.

For rock’s reigning Renaissance man Jack White, that sea of cell phones is a really big drag. So much so that he has all of his performances professionally photographed, making the images available to fans for free on his website.

But after an article in the UK Guardian reported that Jack White shows were being posted with signs saying that the use of Twitter and Facebook is “strictly prohibited” and to “please leave your phones in your pockets/purses and enjoy the show live and in person,” Third Man Records has taken to its website to clear the air and set the record straight.

“Let us just say that there has never been a sign posted by our touring crew or team at one of Jack’s shows telling people to not use Facebook or Twitter during the performance,” reads the statement at thirdmanrecords.com. “We really encourage fans to talk about the show however they please, but just ask that they be respectful to the other concert attendees.

“The only thing that we’ve ever asked of the audience is to not take pictures or videos while holding up their cameras, phones, etc that block other peoples view or otherwise hinder other fans concert experiences,” the statement continues. “Along with that, the bigger idea is for people to experience the event with their own eyes and not watch an entire show through a tiny screen in their hand.”

Where do you stand on the debate? Is Jack White being too tough on concert snappers, or is he doing the right thing by providing fans professional shots for free and asking for a little concert etiquette? Inquiring minds really want to know! Take the poll below and let us know exactly how you feel about the cell phone forest at rock shows. We’ll be sure to pass the results on to Jack White!